DeGraaf Opens Third Pro Campaign at Class A-Advanced Level
UPLAND, Ind. – Josh DeGraaf recently took another step up the organizational ladder for the Toronto Blue Jays, as the former three-time Crossroads League Pitcher of the Year was promoted to the Class-A Advanced Dunedin Blue Jays for the start of the 2017 season.
Dunedin is the fourth stop for DeGraaf, since being selected in the 31st round of the 2015 Major League Baseball Draft on the heels of a standout four-year career on the bump for Taylor. DeGraaf spent his first season in pro ball splitting time between the Blue Jays’ rookie league and Class-A short season affiliates, before spending the entire 2016 season with the Class-A Lansing Lugnuts.
Following the conclusion of the 2016 season in Lansing, DeGraaf played winter ball with the Canberra Calvary, before being assigned to the Class-A Advanced Dunedin Blue Jays for the start of his third professional campaign.
DeGraaf has pitched in five-of-14 games for Dunedin to start the season, holding opposing Florida State League batters to a .200 average, while posting 10 strikeouts to just one walk in seven innings of work.
In 57 minor league appearances, DeGraaf boasts a 3.41 earned-run average, a 1.21 WHIP and a 1.12 groundout-to-flyout ratio, with 7.6 strikeouts per nine innings and only 11 home runs allowed.